McDonald's November sales figure rises 4.8 percent

McDonald's Corp. says a key sales figure rose 4.8 percent in November, helped in the U.S. by the popularity of the limited-time McRib sandwich.

The world's largest burger chain also said Wednesday weaker foreign currencies will hurt its fourth-quarter earnings by a penny to 2 cents per share. Shares fell 99 cents in premarket trading.

Sales in restaurants open at least 13 months rose 4.9 percent in the U.S. and Europe and 2.4 percent elsewhere. The figure is considered a key measure of a restaurant chain's health because it excludes stores that open and close during the period.

U.S. sales were also helped by sales of coffee drinks and value menu items.

In Europe, McWraps were popular. Elsewhere, results in China and Australia were strong, offset by weakness in Japan.